Beginning Reading Level
To read fluently is to read quickly and
accurately. It is important for fluent readers to learn to use
use of expression makes it enjoyable for the reader as well as the
Expression can be learned by example, so it is important for teachers
read with lots of expression. I will model for the children using
There Was An Old
Woman That Lived In A Shoe
Sentence strips- filed out before hand
Makers or crayons
- "Today we are going to practice
reading with expression. We have mastered good reading strategies like
covering up parts of words when we get stumped. For example, if I got
stuck on the word "cat," I would cover up everything but the /a/, then
look at the /ca/, and last put it all together to read /cat/. Now we
need to master expression, which is the best part!"
- "When I practice reading with
expression do I read like this?" (Read one of the sentence strips in a
monotone voice.) "No! That is boring for the reader and the listener!"
closely while I demonstrate how to read with expression. I am going to
read you There Was An Old Woman That Lived In A Shoe,
then we will all practice."
- Read the book using expression and
- "So it looks like we have a lot more
fun reading with expression, emotion and changing our voices!"
- "Can you help me list some emotions or
feelings?" List these words the kids come up with on the board so
everyone can see.
- Next, hold up sentence strips, and
have the kids experiment with expression by reading the same sentence
using different emotions in their voices and faces. Practice this a few
times, taking turns and switching strips. Example sentences: I want to
- If time allows, the children can draw
pictures of faces showing different emotions. They will write the
"feeling" word below the face, and the pictures can hang to remind them
to read with expression.
- Assess the children by breaking the
children into groups of two and let them read a book of their choice to
each other aloud. Listen to each group and check for expression in
their voices and faces.
is more interesting? Reading with expression and
feeling or without?
with Expression. The Reading Genie Website,
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